Isolation: “We’re Not Here To Play Covers. We’re Here To Be Heard.”

The Lion’s Den. Deansgate. Backstage noise bouncing off brick. Guitars propped against walls.

Isolation are mid-laugh before we even start.

New line-up since September. Three tracks out. Latest single “England’s Burning” landing with bite.

They don’t feel like a band testing the water.

They feel like a band already moving.

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“It’s Finally Clicked.”

Harrison – Drums
Jake – Vocals / Guitar
Ben – Bass
Jason – Lead Guitar / Backing Vocals

The reset came in September.

“It’s what we needed,” Jake says. “Different perspectives. Different influences. That’s when Isolation actually became Isolation.”

They’re not shy about their roots. That early ‘90s Manchester pulse runs through them. Melody. Swagger. Terrace-ready hooks.

There are flashes of The Stone Roses.
You feel the edge of Oasis.

But this isn’t nostalgia. It’s graft.

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Straight In At The Deep End

First show with the new line-up?

Supporting The Real People.

No easing in. No warm-up lap.

They followed it by shifting over 100 tickets at their own headline show. Then came support slots with Northside before they headed out with Happy Mondays.

Momentum isn’t accidental.

It’s earned.

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The Bassist Story (Via Sam Fender)

They needed a bassist. Put the call out.

Ben was at a Sam Fender gig.

Next day? Message lands. He wants in.

“Best thing since sliced bread,” Harrison laughs.

It clicked. Simple as that.

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No Covers. No Safety Net.

From day one, this wasn’t about playing safe.

“We always wanted to be original,” Jake says. “Make our own music. Push it out there. Create something that’s ours.”

He originally joined to play lead guitar.

Ended up fronting the band.

“Took some getting used to. Still does. But it’s the best decision we’ve made.”

The others disagree loudly.
Standard band democracy.

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Raised On The Underground

The influence doesn’t just come from stadium names.

It comes from the grassroots.

“I’ve spent years watching mates’ bands,” Jake says. “Little details. How they move on stage. How they organise things. That’s where you learn.”

Isolation analyse everything.

Bigger merch stand.
Sharper promo.
More online presence.

They understand that TikTok isn’t optional.

“The industry’s more virtual now. You’ve got to put your name everywhere.”

They’re not naive about it.

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Indie’s Stirring Again

There’s a feeling something’s coming back.

Guitar bands rising again. Casual clobber reappearing. Terrace energy seeping into venues.

Football’s stitched into their identity too. United reds. A City fan. One Arsenal lad who doesn’t get an easy ride.

“It’s a Red Revolution,” someone says.

“It’s not,” comes the reply.

Chaos. Laughs. Proper Manc.

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Desert Island Drama

If the band were stranded on a desert island — who gets sacrificed?

Harrison argues he’s safe. “Foundation of the band.”

Ben’s nominated because “bassists always get it.”

Jason gets stick for backing vocals. He fires back about solos. Jake catches crossfire just for existing.

It spirals.

No decision. Just noise.

Exactly as it should be.

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What’s Next?

Back in the studio in April.

Two tracks lined up — including live favourite “Off My Mind.”

Four or five track EP? End of this year. Maybe early next.

Festival slots building. Bigger shows coming. Quiet moves happening behind the scenes.

They’re not waiting for permission.

They’re building it themselves.

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Final Word – Phil Marsden

There’s something real here.

Not hype.
Not posturing.
Not borrowed attitude.

Work.

You can hear it.
You can see it.
You can feel it in the way they talk about what’s next.

I’ve seen bands come and go.

Isolation feel like they’re staying.

Watch them.

By Phil Marsden – The Lion’s Den, Manchester.